Our staff's commitment to you
Our staff is committed to providing support, compassion, information, and direction as needed to all members of our community, their families, and friends who are dealing with loss and grief.
Billy Butcher, CFSP, Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Owner of Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home, was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. He is the youngest son of Charles and Becky Butcher. Billy is a graduate of Lafayette High School and Mid-America College of Funeral Service. With over 25 years of experience in funeral service, he spent the previous 11 years as the General Manager of Kentucky Mortuary Service before coming to Blackburn & Ward. Billy is currently serving as the Central District Director for the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky. He also serves on several committees for the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky. Billy has completed over 180 hours of continuing education to earn the designation Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and is a Lifetime Member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Billy is the proud father of Caitlyn Butcher and stepfather of Annabel and Ellie Lewis. He enjoys spending time on the sidelines of the soccer fileds, softball fileds and gymnastic meets watching the girls do what they love. Billy also enjoys spending time skiing and being on his farm hunting with his family.
Leigh Ann Lewis is a Funeral Director, Embalmer, and the General Manager of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home. Leigh Ann was born and raised in Grayson, Kentucky. She is the youngest daughter of Gary Dickerson and Gwen Sparks Dickerson. Leigh Ann is a graduate of East Carter High School, Morehead State University, and Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. For over 15 years Leigh Ann has worked as a funeral director, embalmer and crematory operator. Leigh Ann is an active member in the Funeral Directors Association of Kentucky and the National Funeral Directors Association. She has completed over 180 hours of continuing education to earn the designation Certified Funeral Service Practitioner (CFSP) and is a Lifetime Member of the Academy of Professional Funeral Service Practice. Leigh Ann is the proud mother of two young daughters, Annabel Lee Lewis and Eleanor "Ellie" Kay Lewis and proud stepmother of Caitlyn Butcher. When she is not at the funeral home you will see her driving around town taking the girls to the soccer fields, softball fields, gymnasium or at St. Leo Catholic Church and School with Annabel and Ellie.
Penny Baker, licensed funeral director, has been a dedicated employee of the funeral home for over 25 years. She is the proud mother of two sons, Justin and Austin, and the wife of Kim Baker. Penny was born and raised in Woodford County, she is the daughter of Mary Ann Bowman Slatten and the late Billy Slatten. In addition to being a licensed funeral director she is also licensed to sell pre-need burial insurance. Penny is available to assist families with purchasing gravemarkers and headstones also. Following the 2022 fall election Penny was elected as Woodford County's first female coroner, she has extended her caring and compassion in her newly elected office also.
Nick Green a native of Versailles, graduated from Woodford County High School in 2010. He is a 2015 graduate of Bluegrass Community and Technical College and is attending Boyce College at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. He attained his Eagle Scout and served as a Junior Assistant Scout Master to Troop 43 of Versailles. He was an avid runner, participated in cross country and track at WCHS and later assisted with coaching for the cross country and track teams. Nick has been a member of Woodford Community Christian Church and Versailles Baptist Church. He had the privilege of serving as an Interim Associate Pastor at Clear Creek Baptist Church and is currently blessed to serve as the Senior Pastor at Glen’s Creek Baptist Church. Nick comes to us from Baptist Health Lexington where he worked as a CNA in the Cardio-Thoracic ICU for the last 9 years. On the side he runs a lawn care business, Integrity Mowing which he established in 2019. Nick is the oldest child of Perry and Kim Green, he has a brother, Elliott Green and sister, Lindsay Green, all of Versailles.
Debbie Wade joined Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home in January 2022 as Secretary/Bookkeeper after retiring from Yokohama Industries. She grew up in Harrison County and graduated from Midway College. Debbie is married to Rick and they have one daughter named Taylor.
Gary Finnell has been a vital employee of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home for over 40 years. Gary assists with visitations and funeral services and maintains a dedication to serving families with a friendly warm greeting. Gary is most often visible at our parking lot door, greeting those who call during visitations. Gary is a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, is Past Master and member of the F&AM Landmark Lodge #41, former Woodford County Magistrate, and a former volunteer for the Versailles Fire Department. Gary is married to Linda G. Finnell and is the father of Carrie Finnell (Brian) Spellman and Gina Finnell (Travis) Ziegler, and grandfather of two granddaughters, and two grandsons.
J. Steve Ward, retired Funeral Director and former owner of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home was born in Hazard, Kentucky. The youngest of four sons of the late Hazel Fox Ward and Judge Don A. Ward, Steve and his wife Carol (Tatman) are the parents of one son, Hank (Tracie) Ward and the grandparents of Peyton Ward. Steve is a graduate of Hazard High School, is an alumnus of the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, and Eastern Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Mortuary Science. He served as the Woodford County Coroner from 1990 to 2011. A funeral director for over 43 years, Steve was the owner of Blackburn & Ward Funeral Home from 1989-2017. He was an employee of the firm for 12 years prior to purchasing the firm from his predecessor, Leslie J. Blackburn. When Steve and Carol are not out enjoying their recent retirement they are still around to help with funeral services.
Steve Franklin is a Woodford County High School Graduate, Veteran of the United States Army and holds an associate degree from the Kentucky School of Business. Steve is retired from Sylvania and is a Certified Crematory Operator. Steve is the proud father of three sons, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Steve assists with visitations, funeral services and cremations. Steve is dedicated to serving families with dignity and compassion.